Citizens of the United States are guaranteed many freedoms that people in many other parts of the world can only dream of. Unfortunately, there are those who take advantage of these freedoms and protections by thinking they can exercise them without regard for the rights of others.
One of the most cherished freedoms we hold as Americans is the freedom of speech. Recently, students at the University of California Berkeley took advantage of this freedom by turning free speech into a riot. Incitement to violence is not protected as free speech. And this is exactly what happened on the UC Berkeley campus on February 26, 2010. Footage of the protest can be see at the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPW9YU9z5gg
What began as students attending an event leading up to the planned March 4th protest concerning recent tuition hikes, lead to a dance party, and eventually to a riotous event where university buildings were damaged. Problems began when students broke into an area closed for renovations and hung a banner advertising the upcoming March 4th protest. Damage to the building included broken windows and graffiti sprayed on the walls. The crowd continued to grow and confrontations with the police included students and former students throwing bottles, setting trash cans on fire, and breaking store front plate-glass windows. Police attempting to quell the crowd were pelted with rocks, bottles, a fire extinguisher, and other items.
What could have been the planning of a peaceful demonstration of freedom of speech was transformed into the arrest of several students and former students with charges ranging from assaulting a peace officer to inciting a riot.
And exactly what was accomplished by this action?
Whether or not the students have a legitimate argument concerning the recent tuition hikes, their voices are now tarnished by these riotous actions. Protests that are organized and for the right reasons and are carried out in a lawful manner do not destroy property and put people’s safety in danger. Instead, they bring awareness to the issue at hand. It really makes me wonder if these people realize just how precious freedom really is. I am outraged and saddened when I see citizens of this great country taking for granted what many in the history of our nation have fought and died to protect. Perhaps they would appreciate it more if they experienced life in a part of the world where simply speaking your mind can get you imprisoned or even executed.
Incitement to violence is not protected as free speech.
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